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(No Model.)

No. 825;300. Patented Sept; 1, 1885.

FRANCIS H. WILLIAMS, OF SYRACUSE, NEWV YORK.

CHAIN-SHELL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 325,300, dated September 1, 1885.

(X0 model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANCIS H. WILLIAMS, of Syracuse, county of Onondaga, State of New York, a citizen of the United States, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Projectiles, which I call a Chain- Shell, consisting of two hollow shells filled with an explosive compound that explodes by concussion, and connected together by a chain that can be propelled from any ordinary gun without danger of exploding the projectile by the force of the charge in the gun by which the explosive shell is projected, so that dynamite or other highly-explosive shell can be shot off with safety from the gun like any ordinary projectile, and the shells so adjusted that two explosions will be made on impact with the object fired at. I attain these results by the devices illustrated in the drawings, in which Figure 1 is a longitudinal view of the shell ready to be placed in the gun. Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the shell; Fig. 3, a sectional view ofa hollow elastic cylinder with a chain drawn through it, the chain having a snap hook on each end of it.

In the employment of my new device the charge of powder, gun-cotton, or other proper material is like that heretofore used in any ordnance for throwing shot or shell. The ex plosive shells B B may be formed in any known way or shape to contain the explosive material with which it is charged. I would make one of the shells B B of more weight than the other, the diameter of each to be the same, for the purpose of giving a more direct flight to the object fired at, and to cause two explosions to be made, by reason of the heavier shell striking first on the object fired at.

I make no claim of novelty to either of these elements B B O, which may be so varied as to suit the purpose of the gunner. Between these elements B B and around the element 0 my invention is placed. It consists ofashort cylinder, A, formed of any flexible or yielding material to surround the chain 0 to act as a buffer, sabot, or cushion between the shells The mode of forming the cylinder A can be varied, as well as its length, to suit the purpose for which it is intended, it being made of snfficient length, elasticity, and resistance to suit the charge, heavy or light, and a shell for long or short range, the cushion, sabot, or buffer A being adapted thereto.

I am aware that rubber, spring, fibrous, and analogous buffers have been used as a component part of shells These I do not claim.

Having thus described my invention, I claim- The combination of the explosive shells B B, the chain 0, uniting them, and the tubular elastic butter surrounding the chains, substantially as described.

FRANCIS H. IVILLIAMS.

Witnesses:

HENRY LACY, F. B. KENDRIoK. 

